Longwood Christmas Photo Trek
Longwood Gardens is spectacular in any season, but it is transformed into a magical place during the holiday season. With more than 400,000 twinkling lights strung on nearly 40 miles of wire, this is a photographer’s paradise, and it has become an annual photo trek favorite. Join us as we make amazing images worthy of creating your own holiday cards and gifts!
We will meet at 4pm to ensure we are inside before the worst of the evening traffic, and to be set up and in place as the sun sets and the magic begins. We will continue photographing during the “Blue Hour”, which allows for more dramatic images. We will photograph the amazing light displays outside throughout the grounds, until the need for hot chocolate takes over. We will then take a short break indoors to warm back up, let our cameras begin acclimating to the warmer indoor temperatures, review our images, then head over to the conservatory to capture the beauty and glow on the inside, as time allows.
Tripods are not allowed inside at this time, so this will be a great time to get comfortable with photographing at high ISOs and perfect your hand-holding skills in low light.
This workshop is for beginners and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special gear is required beyond a DSLR, camera strap and tripod(for outside). A Star filter would be helpful for creative affects of the lights. Fast Lenses, with apertures such as f/2.8 or 1.8 will be a huge benefit in the conservatory.
Instruction will be given on shooting in full manual exposure, how to properly meter and photograph in low light-both outdoors and indoors, lens choice and why it matters; creative composition; HDR or High Dynamic Range Photography; and more!
This event is being scheduled on a week night to avoid the large weekend crowds. You should plan on arriving at least one half hour prior to workshop start time to allow for traffic and parking. Please plan your schedules accordingly.
Admission to Longwood is NOT included, as most attendees either are-or choose to become members of the gardens. More details to follow several weeks prior to the event.
Upon registration you should immediately go online and reserve a timed ticket. A minimum of participants is needed to run this event. In case of hazardous weather, the trek will take place on Thursday December 15, 2022. The workshop will take place in light rain or snow.
Updated Terms & Conditions – Valerie A Hoffman Photography (March 2023)
As we live in our new ‘normal’, the following updated policies are being put in place to protect the health and wellbeing of all workshop attendees, as well as those who we will come in contact with during events.
That being said, here is what you need to know and comply with:
- Anyone who is sick with COVID like symptoms or has a fever over 100 degrees must not attend the event. Amount paid may be put towards a future workshop, or can be refunded in full if notice is given in advance. Suggest checking your temperature BEFORE leaving home. By registering for an event, you also agree to a touchless temperature check at the initial gathering for any workshop or trek.
- Face Masks are optional unless otherwise specified.
Cancellation Policy:
Two (2) weeks notice is required to receive a full refund. 75% refund of the Trek fee with only one (1) week notice. NO refund will be given if less than one (1) week notice is given for cancellation. Must call to cancel. We reserve the right to cancel the Trek at our discretion. Minimum number of participants is necessary to run event.